Over $800,000 in Grants Awarded to 25 Non-Profits to Combat Violent Crime in Macon-Bibb County

On Wednesday, Glorious Hope Baptist Church hosted a gathering to announce the newest Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) grant recipients. The event, attended by community members committed to reducing violent crime, featured Mayor Lester Miller and the Community Foundation of Central Georgia (CFCG) revealing over $800,000 in grants awarded to 25 non-profit organizations.

Mayor Miller highlighted the progress of the MVP initiative, noting, “This started out as a 10-year-plan, but we’re amazed at what we’ve done together in just two years,” attributing the success to organizations involved.

The grants were distributed to both new and returning recipients. Notable recipients included Men About Change, which received support for its summer camp serving 80 children and 20 interns, and 100 Black Men of Macon-Middle Georgia, Inc., which was awarded $20,000 for its literacy initiative with Charles H. Bruce Elementary School.

Since the MVP’s inception in 2021, $1,685,000 has been allocated to 40 organizations, contributing to a 43% decrease in the homicide rate in Macon-Bibb County, with a 67% reduction among teenagers.

CFCG President Kathryn Dennis emphasized the community-led nature of the MVP, stating, “This isn’t the government telling us how to do things. It’s people in need telling us how to do this.”

The Macon Violence Prevention program, initiated in 2021, was developed from community feedback through forums and surveys. The strategic plan aims to address violent crime with evidence-based solutions.

Organizations that received grants:

1. 100 Black Men of Macon-Middle Georgia, Inc. – $20,000
2. Appleton Family Ministries – $25,000
3. Brookdale Resource Center – $10,000
4. Campus Clubs, Inc. – $40,000
5. Central Georgia CASA, Inc. – $50,000
6. Communities in Schools of Central Georgia, Inc. – $30,000
7. C-QUL – $12,500
8. Diamonds On Our Mind Foundation – $25,000
9. Epsilon Beta Lambda Foundation Inc – $25,000
10. Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia – $40,000
11. Girls Dig Deeper Initiative – $15,000
12. Grow Macon Inc. – $30,000
13. I Am King Foundation, Inc. – $33,000
14. Lead With Literacy – $50,000
15. Living Bread Restoration Outreach, Inc. – $75,000
16. Macon Black Culture – $15,000
17. Macon Hope, Inc – $20,000
18. Macon-Bibb County Health Department – $15,000
19. Men About Change, Inc. – $30,000
20. Middle Georgia Justice – $65,000
21. Next Level Community Development Center Inc. – $90,000
22. PACE Center for Girls, Inc. – $40,000
23. Real IMAPCT Center, Inc. – $40,000
24. United Way of Central Georgia – $30,000 (Parent AcSELerator Program)
25. United Way of Central Georgia – $30,000 (Ma-Con Men Better)